Maiden of Roses

by H31R OF T1M3

When faced with a choice, Ib does the one thing nobody expects; she sacrifices herself. Now she's the painting, as Mary and Garry start to live their lives. But as years pass, and memories of Ib have faded, will Ib understand what it's like to live alone in a demented world? And what happens when Mary and Garry decide to go back to Guertena's exhibits?

4. Let Your Darkness Take Over

Ib was sitting in front of a large glass window, staring at Garry on the other side. He was in a coffee shop, talking to a woman with bright green hair. "This is Garry?" she asked.

Iris, standing in the corner of the room, responded, "Yes, it is." Ib nodded, turning her attention back to Garry. He was smiling, having a good time.

"You're so wonderful," the green haired woman said dreamily. Garry chuckled.

"Stop it, you," he said happily. Ib smiled.

"Good, Garry is living a good life," she said. "I hope he remembers me, though." Iris's eyes glittered. The green-haired woman tilted her head, appearing to be confused. She smiled quickly, shrugging off what was bothering her.

"So Garry, you like art, don't you?" the woman asked. Garry nodded.

"Well, that is true Alison, but there's always that one piece in the museum that I detest. That hideous piece no one finds memorable," he said. Ib smiled.

"Like all of the ones in the fake world," she said. Alison smirked, appearing to be lost in thought.

"Okay, so have you been to the Guertena art gallery?" Alison asked. Garry nodded, frowning. "And did you like all the paintings?" she asked.

"I don't remember all of them," he said truthfully. Alison giggled.

"Then I'll show you a picture of every painting there, and you point out the one in a million, okay?" she asked. Garry nodded. She pulled out a camera and started flipping through various paintings in the gallery. Garry nodded at each one, giving his approval. Alison then pulled up one that Ib recognized well. She showed it to Garry, and he closed his eyes, remembering something.

"That painting is hideous," he said. Ib's mouth dropped open. "Nobody would ever like a freak like that. And what kind of idiot names a painting Maiden of Roses? Disgusting." Tears welled in Ib's eyes.

She started banging the wall, screaming, "Turn it off! Turn it off! TURN IT OFF!" Iris tapped the wall and it turned normal. Her eyes glimmered.

"Are you okay Ib?" Iris asked innocently. Ib was crying in the corner of the room, screaming insults at Garry.

"Yes…no…I don't know anymore!" she shouted. Iris smirked. Ib crawled up to the wall again. "Mary," she whispered. "Show me Mary." Iris walked out of sight of Ib, her eyes glimmering. She pointed at Ib, her hand glowing. Behind Ib's head, a red rose appeared. As she cried, paint appeared to be dripping off the rose, now appearing to be a deep brown.

"Let your darkness take over," she murmured.